- A
Remove unnecessary services and accounts
Reducing the attack surface is a key hardening step.
- B
Enable DHCP for all network interfaces
Why wrong: DHCP is not a hardening measure.
- C
Disable autorun and autoplay features
Prevents automatic execution of code from removable media.
- D
Enable User Account Control (UAC)
Why wrong: UAC is a Windows security feature but not a CIS Benchmark recommendation per se.
- E
Disable the host-based firewall
Why wrong: Disabling the firewall weakens security.
Question 628 of 1,000
SSCP Systems and Application Security Practice Question
This SSCP practice question tests your understanding of systems and application security. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
An organization is implementing system hardening. Which TWO of the following actions are recommended by CIS Benchmarks? (Select two.)
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Remove unnecessary services and accounts
CIS Benchmarks recommend removing unnecessary services and accounts to reduce attack surface, and disabling autorun/autoplay to prevent malware from spreading via removable media. Enabling UAC is a Windows security control but not specifically a CIS Benchmark recommendation. Using DHCP is not a hardening measure. Disabling the firewall weakens security.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Remove unnecessary services and accounts
Why this is correct
Reducing the attack surface is a key hardening step.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Enable DHCP for all network interfaces
Why it's wrong here
DHCP is not a hardening measure.
- ✓
Disable autorun and autoplay features
Why this is correct
Prevents automatic execution of code from removable media.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Enable User Account Control (UAC)
Why it's wrong here
UAC is a Windows security feature but not a CIS Benchmark recommendation per se.
- ✗
Disable the host-based firewall
Why it's wrong here
Disabling the firewall weakens security.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Many certification questions include familiar terms but test a specific constraint. Read the exact wording before choosing an answer that is generally true but wrong for this case.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
This question should be treated as a scenario, not a definition check. Identify the problem, the constraint and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
- Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
- Use explanations to understand the rule behind the answer.
TExam Day Tips
- Underline the problem statement mentally.
- Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
- Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A security analyst at a medium-sized enterprise encounters this scenario during an investigation or architecture review. The correct answer reflects best practice for the specific threat or control described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Security exam questions test whether you can match controls to threats in context — not just recall definitions.
Visual reference
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which SSCP exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this SSCP question test?
Systems and Application Security — This question tests Systems and Application Security — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Remove unnecessary services and accounts — CIS Benchmarks recommend removing unnecessary services and accounts to reduce attack surface, and disabling autorun/autoplay to prevent malware from spreading via removable media. Enabling UAC is a Windows security control but not specifically a CIS Benchmark recommendation. Using DHCP is not a hardening measure. Disabling the firewall weakens security.
What should I do if I get this SSCP question wrong?
Identify which SSCP exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
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Last reviewed: Jul 4, 2026
This SSCP practice question is part of Courseiva's free ISC2 certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the SSCP exam.
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